SURREY Liberal Democrat county councillors have welcomed the decision by Surrey’s Cabinet to reject proposed cuts to the winter maintenance budget which could have put Surrey residents at serious risk.

Earlier this year, Liberal Democrat highways spokesperson Stephen Cooksey chaired a Winter Maintenance Task Group, which was requested to consider proposals to make budget savings of £340,000, including reducing the salting network, not filling grit bins and scrapping one of the county’s mini-salting vehicles.

These proposals were unanimously opposed by councillors on the task group as it was felt that if implemented these cuts could put Surrey residents in danger.

The board’s decision was then ratified by the Cabinet last week and it was agreed that the savings would have to be found elsewhere.

Mr Cooksey said: “I am pleased that councillors on the board from all political persuasions, were persuaded by our arguments that these cuts were unacceptable and not in the best interests of Surrey residents.

“This is how scrutiny and the budget process should work and I am pleased that the council’s Cabinet have backed our decision.

“I look forward to seeing further proposals in due course as to how the Tory administration is going to balance the books but with an emphasis on cutting waste and bureaucracy rather than cutting essential services.”